I grew up in a kibbutz in the Galilee, but we were surrounded by Arabic villages, so I heard all these sounds and all this music. My father was very close friends with one of the Bedouin tribes, so I would always go there, to weddings, and I was always very fascinated by that music.
For me to have the opportunity to learn the darbuka and the tabla in Dubai, it created my own thoughts for music.
To me, Egypt is a wonderful history, a wonderful people, and it's represented through artists like Om Kalthoum, who is considered the fourth pyramid of Egypt. She's a wonderful diva whose voice, for me, is really Egyptian.
The sarangi, the ney flute are pretty ancient instruments.
I loved Israeli music, Israeli folk music.
A well-rounded performer will listen to all kinds of music. I like classical, Middle Eastern, and rock a lot.
I am really very fond of Indian classical music though I have spent my teenage years in Bahrain.
I listen to a variety of music. I like everything from old Arabic music to Portuguese fados.
My children don't even know who Fairuz is - a horrifying thought.
I was a big fan of Middle Eastern elements of music and experimental electronic and tribal sounds.
The idea of a hypnotic riff as the prime mover of a piece of music has been around for a long time, whether you're talking about the Delta blues or music from Middle Eastern and African cultures.
The Middle East is gorgeous, but again, politically, I would not want to go there.
I love Khaliji music; it's very inspiring.
